Department of Health finds two more cases of UK variant COVID-19 in County Tompkins

TOMPKINS COUNTY, NY – The Tompkins County Department of Health has found two more cases of the UK variant of the COVID-19 virus (officially known as variant B.1.1.7) in people locally. The two people are isolated and close contacts have been identified.

These are the fifth and sixth cases of the British variant found in the county, all of which were detected using sequencing technology from Cornell University. The two new cases were attributed to the trip.

The British variant has been found to be more contagious, although there still seems to be no evidence that it is more deadly than the original coronavirus which infected thousands of people locally and claimed the lives of nearly 30 residents of Tompkins County. The first case was reported in the county on January 15, shortly after its discovery in New York state.

“We are confident that we have successfully identified and isolated cases in this situation,” said Director of Public Health Frank Kruppa. “This is a more contagious mutation of the virus and we need to be vigilant. We are seeing a greater presence of this variant in the United States and it could continue. We all still have a role to play in stopping the spread and must continue to wear masks diligently, avoid crowds and keep a distance from each other.